Orthopedic Surgeon Info

Orthopedic Surgeon Summary:An orthopedic surgeon works with patients before, during, and after surgical procedures that involve problems with the musculoskeletal system, such as hips and knees. An orthopedic surgeon is a surgical specialist. These surgeons diagnose and treat injuries, diseases, and congenital defects that may affect not only the bones and joints, but nerves, muscles, and connective tissues as well. An orthopedic surgeon can help with arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery and can also help with intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET). While an orthopedic surgeon does perform surgical procedures, these doctors also use nonsurgical interventions when possible to treat patients.

Category Specialties:

While doctors may choose general orthopedic surgery, there are at least a dozen different specialties, a few of which include specialization in specific areas of the body, physical and occupational therapy, trauma, sports medicine, pediatrics, rehabilitation, pain management, and more.

Category Procedures and Treatments:

Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical procedures to treat patients. Just a few of these include:

Category Profession Details:

Orthopedic surgeons must complete a minimum of a Bachelor Degree, followed by 4 years of medical school and 5 years of orthopedic residency. An additional year of education is required for specialties within the field. The orthopedic surgeon needs to pass licensing requirements for the state in which he or she will practice medicine. In order to be certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery orthopedic surgeons must complete all education and training requirement, practice their field for 2 years, then pass the written and oral exams.

Category Associations:

Orthopedic Surgeon FAQs:What is an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An Orthopedic Surgeon is a physician who performs surgery on the musculoskeletal system. An Orthopedic Surgeon does surgery on the hand, hip, elbow, shoulder, joint, foot, ankle and spine.

What types of surgery does an Orthopedic Surgeon do?
An Orthopedic Surgeon can do many surgeries. The surgeries performed by an Orthopedic Surgeon include: repair fractures, hip and knee replacement, carpal tunnel release, rotator cuff repair, etc. An Orthopedic Surgeon can also help with lumbar stabilization and lumbar instrumentation.

Where does an Orthopedic Surgeon work?
An Orthopedic Surgeon can work in a hospital or clinic.

How do I find an Orthopedic Surgeon in my city and state?
The Wellness.com directory will help you locate an Orthopedic Surgeon in your state. Select Orthopedic Surgeon from the professionals menu and select the state that you are looking to locate an Orthopedic Surgeon in. After you have located your state, find the city that you will need an Orthopedic Surgeon in. Select the state and city and you will see a list of Orthopedic Surgeons in your city and state.

Do orthopedic surgeons only treat bones?
While orthopedic surgeons do treat injuries and diseases that affect bones, they also treat other parts of the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

Do orthopedic surgeons only use surgery as treatment?
While qualified to perform various surgical procedures, orthopedic surgeons also use nonsurgical and minimally invasive methods to treat patients as well. The least invasive method is typically the first choice in treating patients.

Why would orthopedic surgeons need to specialize in one part of the body if they only treat certain issues?
The musculoskeletal system is complex, requiring extensive focus to properly heal these areas. Also, with 206 bones in the human body, each bone has a specific function and different connective tissue issues. For example, there are 27 bones in the hand, and 26 bones in the foot. That is a lot for an orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in one of these areas to focus on.

How many orthopedic surgeons are there in the United States?
Wikipedia states that there are 25,464 orthopedic surgeons in the United States as of 2008.

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